Inhalation device



July 19.1927.

J. H. WILLIAMS INHALATION DEvIE med April 10. 19:23l

Jaszh ffm'zu'am,

atroz nu* f Patented J uly` 19, 1927.

UNITED STATES J OSIAH H. WILLIAMS, 0F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

INHALATION DEVICE.

Application led April 10, 1923. Serial No. 631,218.

This invention relates to a device for use in the treatment of a'ections or diseases of the respiratory organs by inhalation of medicinal substances, and the present invention is designed to'provide certain irnprovements upon the type of inhalation device shown in my prior Patent No. 1,387,030, dated August 9, 1921, which device is adapted to be supported upon the chest of a recumbent or sleeping patient whereby the healing vapors emanating from a volatile medicament may be directed toward the mouth and nostrils of a patient, vso that at all times during the respiration of the patient the air inspired will be impregnated with the healing agent.

One object 'of the present linvention'is to provide an inhalation device embodying a vapor collecting and delivering receptacle which maybe employed for collecting and delivering for use medicated vapor generated by the heat of the body from medicament applied to the patients chest, or vapor suitably liberatedv or .generated within the receptacle itself, or vapor generated by a suitable external vaporizing device from which the vapor is conducted to the receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a receptacle preferably made of a single piece of waterproof or washable material and adapted to be folded and its portions secured to form the receptacle, and which after each use ror whenever desired, may be unfolded into substantially flat shape and readily washed or otherwise cleansed so that the device may be kept in a thoroughly sanitary condition.

`btill another object `of the invention is to provide improved means for holding the walls of the receptacle distended Vvand in proper shape for use and for supporting within the receptacle a cup or the like to contain medicament to be vaporized, and further to provide means whereby any moisture contained. in the vapor supplied from a vaporizer may be separated from the vapor and collected for discharge. v

Still another objectof the invention'is to provide a device of the character described which is simple, inexpensive and efficient in construction, and which may be cornpactly packed for sale and storage transportation or when not in use.

`With vthese and other objects in view, the invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which i Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device as formed' ready for use.

Figure 2 isa central vertical front-to-rear section through the device shown in Figure 1. n

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the expansible and collapsible frame anda medicament cup held thereby. v

Figure 4l is a top 4plan View of the receptacle in unfolded and outspread condition.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of Figure 2.

In carrying my invention into practice, I provide an inhalation device comprising a receptacle 1 of somewhat greater lengththan width and of suitable form and vsize to rest upon the chest ofa recumbent patient. This receptacle, which may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials, but preferably of rubber, rubberized fabric or-other suitable impermeable and Washable material, includes a bottom wall or layer 2, a top wall or layer composed of a central portion 3 and end portions 1, and front walls 5. The wall or layer 2, by reason of the flexibility of the `material of which the receptacle is made, is adapted to lie inl close contact with the chest and conform to the contour thereof, while the wall portions 2, 3, f1 and 5 are also adapted, by reason of the flexibility of the material, to assume the form shown in Figures` 1 and 2 when the receptacle is distended and are capable of folding, as hereinafter described, so as to per-` mit the receptacle to collapse in substantially fiat form when not held distended, so that it may be conveniently stored when notv in use and packed in compact shape in aV box or like container for Vsale Vor transmission through the mails. p

In practice, the receptacle may be made of two or morepieces of material, but, for sake of sim licity andeconomy ofconstruction, itA

is pre erably made of .a'single piece of Inaterial eut to the shape shown in Figure 4. The blank or sheet shown in Figure 4 from which the receptacle is formed, is preferably provided with a reinforcing andnishing edge binder 6 of tape or other suitable material. 1n producing the receptacle lrom this blank or sheet, the blank or sheet is tolded along the dotted line a-a to produce superposed top and bottom Wall sections and is then -folded along the dotted line L to produce the downturned front Wall portions The end of the blank, which torms the front portion ot the top wall ofthe receptacle, is suitably shaped beyond the told line 72%?) to provioe the triangular' flaps which `form the trontwvalls 5 and also to provide an intermediate flap 7 for a purpose hereinafter described. f

The bottom Wall 2 is provided With perora'tions 8 over 'a large portion ot its area to render it sutiiciently porous to permit the animal heat to pass fronrthe chest ot' the patent into the receptacle, and Which will also permit vapors generated by such heat to pass into the receptacle, in cases Where the medicament is supplied directly to the chest of the patient. The wall portions 3. 4 and 5,'on the contrary, are imperiioratein order to prevent direct upward escape ol' the heat and vapors and to confine the saine Within the receptacle for discharge at 'the front thereof I through a vapor discharge outlet 9 formed between the forward edges ot' the bottom and top walls andthe sprced Walls 5. It Will be observed that, as the bottom and top Walls ot the receptacle 1 are directly joined at their outer longitudinal edges and connected at their front edgesM on opposite sides ot the outlet 9-by the triangular walls 5, the top Wall as a Awhole slopes or inclincs in aiiorivard and upward direction, the receptacle chamber thus being of minimum depthat the rear and ot maximum depth at the front. Y Also as the outer edges ot the top Wall sections 4 are directly secured at their out-er edges 4to the corresponding edges of the bottom Wall, the receg taele chamber is of minimum depth at Vits lateral edges or sides and of maximum depth at the center in the direction transversely of said receptacle. frs a result, the central portion 3 of the top Wall slopes continuously in an upward and 'forward direction between its rear and front edges, While the side portions 4 of said top Wall slope similarly to the top Wall between their` rear and `front edges but also slope outwardly and .downwardly .from the central portionB of the top Wall toward the outer edges ot'the bottom wall 2 to which they are joined. By this construction the `portions and 4 act as de flctors to rnot only guidethe/entering;` Avapors toward th centerof the receptacle, but also to guide saidvapors toward the central front outlet `9.- Thus .While a receptacle of ample size to reeeivelan adequate quantity ofvapor at alltimes is produced, all the vaporjmay be-dischargedthrough. a compel tively small outlet and thereby concentrated and emitted in such close proximity to the mouth and nostrils ot the patient that the surrounding atniospherie air inspired by the patient will bc densely impregnated with the vapors.

Fastening devices are provided il'or connecting the proper meeting edges oi the wall portions to hold the Walls in receptacle torni ing relation..Y rlhese fastenings may be ol any approved construction, but are preferably of the separable fastener type, As shown, spring studs 10 are provided at the lateral edges ot the wall 2 for engagement with spring sockets 1l. upon the lateral edges oit the Wall portions 4, and simliar studs 12 and sockets 13 are provided upon the front edge oi the Wall 2 and at the inner lower corners ot the Walls for interengagement to secure said Walls 5 in closed condition. lVith this construction, it will be apparent that the Walls oli the receptacle may be held connected in a secure manner, but that upon disengagingr the sockets 1l and 13 trom the studs and 12, the Walls 3. 4 and 5 will be released at their free marginal edges from the Wall Q, allowing the top section ot the receptacle to be thrown`bacl and the material of the receptacle to be outsprcad in the blank or iiat form shown in Figure 'l-. in which form all port-ions ot the receptacle may be reached so that the receptacle may be thoroughly Washed or cleansed whenever required or desired an thereby` maintained in a sanitary condition.

The receptacle is designed to he held when inuse in a distended position by means el' an expansible and collapsible or "Foldable frame 14. This frame is ot a length equal to the Width ot' the receptacle, but is ot rr stricted Width relative to the length ot the receptacle, being of .a lwidth siibstantiunll).v equal to that of the outlet 9 and ot' the cew tral `portion 3 of the top Wall. This trame is substantially.V-shaped and comprises top and bottom Walls or members 15 and 16 connected by spring hinges 17 at the rear or vertexv portion of the traine, said hinges serving to hold the trame members open or spread as shown in Figure 3, and adapting them to be closed or folded in substantially parallel relation.V The frame is litted in the central portion of the receptacle 1 with the verteXportion thereof facing in the direction 'of the line of fold between the Wall portions 2 and, and With the members 1 5 and 16 lyingin contact with said vwall pon tions, asV shown in Figure Hence when the members 15 and 16 are free for spreadi ing motion, the vWall portions 3 and 4 (the portion-3 directly and the portion 4 indirect- Willk be elevated, lthus holdingr the receptacle l distended. l

`Preferably the members 15 `end 15 and the hinges 17 of the V-shaped traine are made from a single piece oi' spring Wire, the

central portion of which is bent to form the Vcross-bar 18 and side arms 19 of the lower U- 19, and by providing member 16 with a cross brace 211 and diagonal braces 25 between its.

side arms 20. The lower frame member 15 is shorter thanthe upper frame member 1G and is designed to have its cross-bar portion 1S terminate some distance inwardly ot the outlet 9 of the receptacle, while crossbar 21 of the member 16 projects a greaterV distance forwardly and through and beyond the outlet 9. The bar 21 is thus positioned to permit the free edge or' the central flap 7 or theupper receptacle. wall to be extended outwardly7 over and then under said bar 21,

shown in Figures 1 and 2, thereby forni- :ing a visor-like projection at the top el the opening 9 and extending beyond the walls 5, which projection will serve as a deflector to guide the (lischarging vapors beyond the outlet and .suiiiciently close to the mouth and nostrils of the patient to ensure their inspiration with the air. are provided upon the free edge of flap 7 to engage sockets 28 upon the body of said flap whereby such portions oftl the flap may be united in rear oit the bar 21 to produce the projection described and vto connect the top wall of the receptacle positively tothe upper trame member oii the spring frame. This connection incidentally serves as a means t'or holding the spring frame within the receptacle against displacement, but-any additional fastening connections for this purpose. 'tor holding the spring frame either peru'ianently or detachably fastened in position, may be employed.

ills stated, the device may be used for collecting and distributingto the air inspired by the patient vapors produced by the animal heat from the patients body, when the medicament used, such as a salve, consisting of a petroleum base containing the volatile crystals of essential oils or healing agents,` is applied directly to the patients chest, in which event such vapors -will enter the receptacle through the openings 8 and discharge therefrom through the outlet 9. The medicament used may, however, be a vapor- -izable liquid contained within the receptacle and volatilized by the heat from the patientsv body. In this instance the liquid medicament may be contained within a cup 29 of suitable kind to receive a sponge or body of absorbent material 30 saturated with' the readily disengaged when desired.

Spring studs 27 v liquid therefrom, and whereby the liquid is held in condition to be readily vaporized. rlhiscup may be supported by the .spring iframe 14, and, asshown for that purpose, the cross-bar 18 of the lower frame member is ori'set inwardly to provide a partially circular rspring clipl to engage an annular groove or recess 32 in the body of the cup, whereby under the spring vpressure of arms 19 exerted on the sides or the clip the cup is firmly held in position for use but may be 1t will also be observed that the forward portions of arms 19 adjacent to the clip El arc oi'liret upwardly into a horizontal. plane above the plane ofthe rear portions or' said arms, thus elevating the clip carrying portion of the irame so that it will hold the cup elevated above the bottom of the receptacle and provide space for its occupancy and more convenient insertion and removal. 1 further provide means whereby vapor supplied from a vapor generator of suitable character sep.- arate from the receptacle may be used, for which purpose the receptacleeis provided centrally or' the line oi fold between its top and bottom walls with a shouldered nipple to receive one end of a rubber or other tube 841 through which vapor may be conducted irom the generator to the receptacle. 1f the generator is of a type which supplies steam with the. oil vapor, or which supplies vapor containing-a certain. amount ol" kmoisture, a catch basin 35 may beprovlded at' a suitable point in the length of the tube 34 to catch and retain the water of condensation or moisture and prevent the same passing to the receptacle. The catch basin 35 shown in the present instance is-arranged between two sections of the tube or pipe 34 and provided with diametrically extended shouldered-nipples 36 for connection with the proximate` ends of said pipe sections, whereby it is properly arranged in the line of flow of the vapor and is adapted to be detached from the pipe sections for olischarge of the moisture and cleaning when-V ever occasion requires. The receptacle is thus adapted for use for supplying vapor under diiferent conditions and from dilerent sources; as may be desired or required, and may use as 'its source of supply of medicated vapor any of the vapor generators in general use.

VThe receptacle may be held in position for use against casual displacement in any preferred manner. In the present instance I have shown'straps 37 and 38 for .securing the receptacle `to the body of the patient or to portions of a bed rameor the bedding thereof or to portions of a couch'on which the patient may lie to receive treatment. The strap 37 may, `for example, be looped around the shoulders and the strap 38 around the chest of the patientlto hold the device in position, or they may be secured to portions of a bed or couch trame or to bed clothing or upholstery, as may be desired or tound most suitable under the circumstances. As shown, strap 37 is provided at one end with an eyelet 39 by means of which .it may be placed between the wall portions 2 and 5 at one side ot theoutlet 9 and secured by one set of tastenings l2 and 13, while ythe opposite end of the strap is provided with a plurality i cyclets Ll-O for adjustable engagement with the similar tastening's 12 and 13 connectinl the walls 2.and at the opposite side ol' the outlet 9. The strap 38 has its intermediate portion extendingtransversely ot' the receptacle between the top and bottom walls thereof and provided with spaced eyelets 41 for engagement with the studs ot alined sets of tastenings and 11, and the ends of said strap 38 extend beyond the sides ol the receptacle so that they may be tied together or they may be provided with any suitable type ot fasteningr means for fastening' connection with each other. It will be observed that the separable tastenings connecting' the receptacle walls also detachably secure the straps 37 and 3S in place, ensuring simplicity o construction, and admitting' oit' the disconnection of said straps from the receptacle in a convenient manner whenever the device is opened for a cleansing action.

It will be understood that the weightv ot the trame '14 will hold the central part ot the bottom wall 2 of the receptacle in close contact. with the center ot the chest of the patient, allowing the ends ot said wall to assume the curvature of the sides of the chest and lie in close contact therewith. `inis is oi importance in collecting the body heat ot the patient and transmitting the same to the interior ot' the receptacle when vapors are to be generated in said receptacle and such vapors kept in a vaporized state. Close contact ot the layer 2 with the chest is also of importance when a medicament containingv the vaporizable substance or substances is applied directly to the chest or to the wall 2. Then the device is applied tor use the spring coils 17 hold the upper trame member 16 1" theI frame 14 elevated, whereby the receptacle will be held distended or its upper wall elcrated and in proper condition for use. The device may thus be supported on the chest of the wearer sutliciently close to the mouth and nostrils to saturate the inspired air with the vapor, `but not so close as to prevent the patient from breathing in a requisite amount ot air. Normal respiration will, therefore, be permitted and wast-e oli vapors prevented, while the air inspired will be impregnated with just the right proportion of healing vapor to give the proper therapeutic effect.

The frame 14 may be removedwhenever it is desiredto allow the receptacleto be collapsed for close contact in storage or shrrpment, or it may be allowed to remain in the receptacle and its upper fra-me member pressed downward to collapse the frame with the receptacle, in which condition the described, that it may be opened out iat and all oit its parts disconnected so that it may be washed or otherwise cleansed, enabling' the device to be kept in a thoroughly sanitary condition at all times.

Having thus t'ully described my invention, lf claim 1. iin inhalation device comprisinfwlr a lreceptacle formed ot flexible sheet matorral, said receptacle having top and bottom walls permanently joined at their rear longitudinal edges only and detachably connected. at their side edges. one ot said walls being provided at its front edge with front wall sections detachably connected with the other of said walls, sad 'front wall sections being' spaced to provide a vapor outlet, and said top vail having a flap in line with said outlet, and a spreading' device within the recepta le comprising rcsiliently connected top and bottom members, the top member having a forward portion projecting through the outlet beyond the front wall sections, saidtlap adapted to be folded under said forward portion ot' the top member and to be detachably connected at its tree edge with the top wall of the receptacle, the construction being such that upon disconnecting` said walls and Hap at their points of dotachable connection the receptacle may be outspread in the form of a substantially flat sheet.

An inhalation device comprising a receptacle 'formed oi flexible material and hav-- ing a iront vapor outlet and top and bottom walls, and a springl trame in said receptacle 'for holding' said walls spread,` said trame having; rcsiliently connected U-shaped top and bottom members bearing against said walls and each including side arms and a front cross bar, a portion of the front cross bar of said bot-tom trame member being Oifset inwardly so as to form an integral spring clip and the forward portions of the side arms of said trame member bei-ng offset 'up-` wardly to dispose said cross bar above the plane ot theremaining portions of said side arms, and a medicament holding cup adapted to be engaged by said cli-p. Y

3. An inhalation device comprising a freceptacle formed of flexible material .and lia-ving top and bottom walls, ysaid walls Joe- Ilo ing yconnected at their rear and side edges and relatively sloping toward their front edges, front wall sections connecting the front edges of the top and bottom walls and spaced from each other to provide an intervening central outlet at the front of the receptacle, a spreading device within the receptacle having a bottom member bearing on the bottom wall and a top member bearing on the top wall and spacing the same from the bottom wall, said top member having a U- shaped front portion projecting forwardly beyond the forward edge of the rbottom member and through said outlet beyond the vertical plane of the front wall, and a iiap upon the front edge of the central portion of the top wall covering the upper surface of said projecting portion of said top member and folded under the same and forming therewith a visor-like detlector extending beyond and overhanging said outlet.

4. An inhalation device comprising a receptacle formed of flexible material and haw ing top and bottom walls, said walls being directly connected at their rear and side edges and free from direct connect-ion at their front edges, the said front wall being provided with an upwardly. and forwardly sloping central portion and upwardly and forwardly and downwardly and outwardly sloping side portions, triangular front walls connecting the side portions of the' top wall at their front edges with the front edge of the bottom wall, said front walls being spaced to provide an intervening outlet, a spreading device within the receptacle having a member bearing on the top wall and spacing the same from the bottom wall and having a portion projecting forwardly through said outlet beyond the vertical plane of the front wall, and a flap upon the front edge of the central portion of the top wall folded under said projecting portion of said spreading device and forming therewith a defiector extending beyond and overhanging lsaid outlet.

5. An inhalation device comprising a receptacle made of flexible material and having top and bottom walls permanently joined at their rear longitudinal edges and normally free from connection at their side and front edges, front wall forming iiaps at the front edge of the top wall arranged on opposite sides ofthe center thereof so as to provide an intervening outlet at the front of the receptacle, stud and socket members upon the side edges of the top and bottom walls detachably connecting said edges, stud and socket fasteners upon the flaps and front edge of the bottom wall and detachably connecting said iiaps with said bottom wall, a strap adapted to be extended through the receptacle between the top and bottom walls and rovided with eyelets adapted for detacha le engagement with certain of the first-named studsand sockets, and a strap having end portions adapted to be disposed betweenthe iiaps `and front edge of the bot* tom wall and provided with eyelets for detachable connection with the studs and sockets conecti-ng said flaps and bottom wall.

(3. Aninhalation device comprising a receptacle formed of flexible material and having top and bottom walls united by their rear and sideedg-es, front walls connecting said top andbottom walls on opposite sides of the center thereof and forming an intervening vapor outlet, a iiap projecting from the central portionof the front edge of the top wall, a spring frame within the recep-V tacle having a lower frame member resting on the bottom wall and an upper frame member bearing; against the top, wall and forced against the latter-named wall by spring pressure, member being provided with a portion proj ecting beneath said flap and beyond the vertical plane of the front wall, said flap having its free edge folded undersaid projecting portion of the upper frame member and` detachablysecured tothe body portion of said Hap. v v f 7. An inhalation device'comprising a receptacle formed of flexiblematerial, said'receptacle having bottom and top walls arranged to meet and permanently joined `at their rear edges and spaced at their front edges, spaced front wall portions extending between the front edgesv of said bottom and top walls on opposite sides of the center thereof and forming a central outlet, a central flap upon the front edge of said top wall, and a spring frame for holding .the top and bottom walls spread at the center of the receptacle, said frame having top and bottom frame portions resiliently connected at their rear edges and free for spreading motion at their front edges, the said upper frame member having its forward edge extending through and outwardly beyond the plane of said central outlet, said central iiap being adapted to be turned under the projectingV forward edge of the upper frame portion 'of the spring frame and secured to form therewith a visor-like projection overhanging said central opening.,

8. An inhalation device comprising a re ceptacle formed of flexible material, said receptacle having bottom and top walls arranged to meet and permanently joined at their rear edges and spaced at their front edges, spaced front wall portions extending between the front edges of said bottom and top walls on opposite sides'of the center thereof and forming al central outlet, a centraliap upon the front edge of the said top wall, and a. spring frame for holding the said upperA frame Y top and bottom walls spread at the center of the receptacle, said frame having top and bottom frame portions resiliently connected at their rear edges and free for spread-ing motion .et vtheir front edges, the said ioirer ianle lneinber having its front edge bent to provide e. Spring chp'and 'the said upper freine member having its forward edge extending through and ountwerdy beyond ti e piane o'fseid vCentri outlet, Seid central Hap being` adapt-ed to be turned under the projecting'orward edge of the upper ralneV portion or the spring freine 4:incl secured to form therewith L visor-like projection overhanging said oentralopening. i

in 'testimony whereof I aiiix my svnature.

JosiAH H. WILLIMS. 

